Riya.

I have no idea about what's going on anymore. I am currently positioned in the security office of the mall.

Yes, I had to ask for help to escape the reporters. I couldn't imagine facing them again after the last incident.

I have also assured Priya that I was okay and promised to explain everything later.

The mall director personally came to see me make sure that I am comfortable.

"Your fiancé is on the way, you will be okay when he's here" he assured me.

I restrained from rolling my eyes. First, it was a boyfriend, now fiancé, they will call him my husband next!

And my poor heart, it doesn't seem to calm down anymore. It's playing the words of Nivin Rosh Aldrick again and again, making me like drunk.

Just wait Nivin Rosh Aldrick!

Nivin.

"How do you do Mr.Aldr-"

"Where's Riya?" I cut across him. I was in a small mall.

"Ah...this way sir, my security are blocking the reporters in the front," he said and I nodded as I walked with him.

"It's that door" he pointed and I walked there along with my two bodyguards.

Someone opened the door for us, Riya was sitting on a settee, two security men placed in the room.

"Riya!" I said; I am actually really pleased to meet her, I realised it.

She looked up in anger.

Uh oh! I am in big trouble!

She jumped up angrily and walked to me, probably ready to hit me, I was too busy, taking her in, she was wearing a knee-length simple frock. she looked good.

"I am going to kill you Nivin Rosh James Aldrick," she said before reaching me and one of my bodyguards blocked her from me.

"It's okay, move back" I ordered.

"It's okay? It's as simple as that? I will-" she raised her hand again to punch me, only this time, I stopped it midway.

"It is good to see you Riya," I said sincerely, then did something that surprised both of us; I hugged her.

I heard the soft gasp of her surprise before the wonderful feel of her. It was a perfect fit, she fits just right inside my arms.

I was right, she feels very good in my hands.

she tried to move away for a few seconds, but I imprisoned her, not letting her go, my hands tightened around her waist, pressing her to me and inhaling her scent that I didn't realise I missed till now.

It must have been the feel of her body against mine or the scent of her or the situation we are in, next thing I know, I was kissing that soft pink kissable lips of her.

I swear, I didn't mean to deepen the kiss, I couldn't resist the temptation and just wanted to taste her a little, but once I tasted, I couldn't let go, I pressed my palm against her waist, keeping her against me all the time when I just enjoyed her lips freely.

Riya.

I am getting drugged, it's like flying around with millions of fireworks going off around me.

I have to grip him as he pressed me closer and I felt his hand on my waist, keeping me against him firmly.

He bit my lower lip gently and I opened my eyes with a shock.

Oh my God! Nivin Rosh freaking Aldrick is kissing me!

I tried to move back, only, he was not finished with me, he protested, holding me close again.

"Nivin" I turned my head away, pushing him away with my hands. I could see the stupefied bodyguards watching us.

My face flamed.

"Don't you do that again, don't run away!" Nivin ordered, still not letting me go. I looked up at him, glaring at him and he chuckled, leaning down to press a soft little kiss on my nose.

The nerve of him!

"Ouch!" Nivin let go of me.

Yes, I kicked his shin and enjoyed his pain.

I moved back and folded my hands across my chest.

"What was that nonsense you were sprouting earlier through the public media?"

"I had no choice, I had to find you and also wanted to stop the engagement"

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"It's Nirosha"

"I don't love her"

"And what about me? don't tell me you started loving me overnight" I said. he stared at me a moment.

"I..er... I just wanted to lead the reporters another way" he said.

"That...that was your plan?" I asked slowly, realisation dawned, my heartfelt the disappointment.

"Yes, I was going to ask your help but thanks to someone, she ran away as soon as I talked about discussing it"

I shuffled uneasily. "What about the...kis-"

"Let's get out of here now, I will fill you everything later" Neev grabbed my hand.

But I want to know about the kiss! was it real? Or did you fake it!?

But Nivin was already escorting me to the car, keeping me close to him and covering me from the reporters. My eyes were momentarily blinded by the flashes going on.

Nivin.

"So this was your plan? have you gone mad, Nivin?" Sachin looked pissed off.

Riya and I were in his car, of course, I can't take her back to Aldrick's and our only chance was dixits.

"I didn't know where she was, I was worried if grandpa has done anything to her," I said.

I was worried about her, I thought I will go crazy if I can't find her.

"Sachin is right, you just killed your only chance, Neev, it was very stupid of you to do it"

"I didn't kill it, I had a backup plan, I didn't want to do any sort of deal with grandpa, not anymore"

The thing was, I was not thinking straight, it was the first time I was using my heart rather than my mind!

"And the backup plan is?" Sachin looked over at me while driving.

"The same, our project" I shrugged.

"Which we are still not sure of," he said.

"I have an idea, I think it might work," I said.

"What are you talking about? are you doing some project together?" Riya leaned to the front between the front seats and looked at us.

"We will explain it later, the first thing now is Riya's safety, people will surely recognise her now," Nivin said slowly.

"Thanks to you," Riya said darkly from the back seat.

"She will be safe in my house for the time being, I never thought you will be this reckless, Neev," Sachin said.

I never knew it too!

I looked in the rearview mirror.

This girl is changing me! Being around her is not healthy!

And that kiss...no, not now, I will think about it later.

"I just wanted to make sure she'll be okay, the only other choice was to accept Nirosha and make her a scapegoat like grandpa needed, which would've done more damage to her," I said.

"Riya, we are nearly there, mom will be expecting you, we have an emergency board meeting now," Sachin said.

"What if...If they make you get married to her?" Riya turned to me.

"There's no way they can do it, especially when the public accepted my love story" I shrugged.

She still looked worried.

"Don't worry, everything will be alright" I assured her.

Joseph Aldrick.

"Our plan backfired, Nivin confessed his love in a live TV programme," Sebastian said.

I have been thinking about it since it happened. Nivin sure is rebelling against me, he wouldn't do anything if I propose it. he now knows clearly that I want him for the project.

"How's the response?"

"It's positive as far as I know, the public accepted it like some kind of fairy tale" JP informed me.

"Then we will do it his way," I said, at last, coming to a decision.

"What? you want to cancel the engagement with Nirosha?" Sebastian looked at me.

"I think this is better than the first one," I said. "Neev initiated it so he wouldn't suspect anything and Nivin himself rejected Nirosha, so you don't have to worry either"

"What do you mean, chairman? you know she's his daughter-" JP started.

"That's why it's more fun to watch! I wonder why I didn't think of it sooner!" I smiled.

"You mean-"

"Yes, how do you think Nivin, a person who is betrayed by his loved ones, will react if he finds out the truth behind Riya Mehra?" I said.

I know the boy, he will be destroyed with this, he cannot fight this back. The more cold and unaffected he seems, the more fragile and breakable he will be inside, just like his father.

I know it, it's a great plan! he will never dare to challenge me again!

"Are you sure...I mean-" JP started again.

"I am sure JP, since we already started this game, let's just watch how far this can go"

"You might be right, I will try to bring some sense to Nirosha too, this is better" Sebastian agreed.

Nivin.

"Since everyone is already here, we will start the board meeting now"

And they all started attacking. Since I expected it, I waited patiently. Either they will throw me away or they will have to deal with it.

"Do you think this company is a joke, boy?" Uncle Sebastian said.

"We have no way but to fire you today, now"

"It shows us the responsibility you have"

"On the other hand, the public take it positively," Rohan said beside me and I looked at him in surprise, we didn't have time to discuss this, and he had said that 'I have truly f**ked up the whole situation' just before entering the meeting.

"Do you want one of our representative to be linked with a nameless girl?"

"The only solution is to throw him away"

"Ahem"

Grandpa said and silence fell once again.

"You really disgraced the company, Nivin Rosh Aldrick," he said and everyone looked satisfied that he is going to throw me out.

"However, since the damage is already done, I would like to know the response of the public, Dev?" grandpa looked at Sachin's dad.

"Yes, Nivin's story is well accepted, there's more response than the scandal and all of them are watching us closely," Sachin's dad said.

"As our legal adviser, what do you think will happen if he's fired now?" grandpa asked again, calmly.

"There will be a lot of protests surely, the public eye will surely go against our company since it's, if I should say, a love story after all"

Man! I never thought something like this will happen. I don't know what's going on anymore, but I know uncle Dev is right too.

All the directors were once again restless as the talking breaks out.

"Okay, so with the approaching project and inspection, we have no way, but to do this, I think we will announce the engagement of Nivin with Riya instead of Nirosha," grandpa said

Oh shit!

"No!" I said with all of the others, protesting.

I never thought things would turn like this. I thought they will either force me to marry Nirosha or throw me out.

Engagement with Riya is totally out of question!

I mean, I never thought grandpa would calmly accept it! According to him, she's someone with no title!

The outburst was increasing, nobody was happy with the announcement.

"I think a marriage with lower class will only improve the public opinion and we need it badly with the current condition" he declared. "and the project deadline is two months from now, does anybody have a counter plan so that we can drop this?" he looked around.

That made everyone settle down.

"Wait a minute, no! that's not going to happen" I exclaimed.

"What are talking about, boy? didn't you said you love her?" Mr.Ram looked at me.

"Yea...yes, I do, but marriage is-"

"Then do you want to drag this again? we had never been a victim of media like this before-" Moorthi started.

"I never talked about marriage, okay? it's... It is-"

"Either you marry her or you are going to be thrown out, which we can't do now, so you have no choice now"

"He can just stay engaged, there's no need to get married for it" Sachin supported me.

"If you are really serious about getting the CEO position, you have to marry anyway, you know the three compulsory rules-"

"I know the rules, thank you," I said darkly. "but it is just unreasonable! I am already one of the major shareholders and-"

"You can't be a CEO, if you are not settled down with your family, Nivin" grandpa cut across me.

I started to reply, but Rohan stopped me. "If you are serious about getting the CEO position, you better stop now, whatever you say, it's not going to change"

"The people who found this company put those rules" Sachin whispered beside me.

* * * * *

"What are you planning to do now? since they are not firing you, you can't resign, and they will file a case if you apply for the project through another company, you will be eliminated out," Sachin said, putting down his glass down and looking at me.

"I know," I said darkly. "I am thinking"

"You know you don't have another way, Neev," Rohan said.

We are in Sachin's hotel bar.

"I never thought it will turn out this way," I said. "I mean, marriage? I...I never even thought about getting married before!" I said. "Grandpa just shocked me"

"Me too, that evil grandpa of yours gave up without a fight?" Sachin asked.

"Taking the company matters, it's the appropriate thing to do now, but you should be very careful with grandpa, he is someone who doesn't give up so fast," Rohan said. "Especially with what you have done now"

"What the hell am I going to do? Riya is going to kill me" I said.

"Don't you love her? or was it all fake?" Rohan asked. Sachin looked over at me too.

My heart started to race in a strange way.

The image of myself kissing her appeared in front of me.

God! it was so impulsive that even shocked me! What the heck was I thinking!

I don't know what happened all of a sudden, it must've been the relief of finding her again.

Or you like her, it's more than just protectiveness.

"Nivin?" he called me again.

"Er...um...I do care about her...a lot, of course, I like her...I want to protect her too"

"You know what I asked you"

"I have never felt these for anyone else in my life," I said finally. "and I have no clue what's going on," I said, if that could answer his questions, be it.

Rohan was looking at me. "Yea, that's right, not even for Nirosha I had felt these," I said.

Talking about Nirosha doesn't hurt anymore, I am over her. and what I said was right too, I never had to take care of Nirosha, she was one of the family friends and both of us had the same friends, we were comfortable with each other and above all, she knew about grandpa.

Riya is entirely different, my feelings are getting seriously involved with her, I wanted to protect her with my life! It feels unfamiliar and dangerous, but still exciting.

"I am sorry Sachin" I looked at him.

"It's not about who likes her anymore, I too want to protect her"

* * *

Riya.

"What are you talking about!" I jumped up. I was brought back to the Aldricks by uncle JP.

My heart raced out of my control, I can't do this anymore! I know I am going to get hurt.

Yes, I love Nivin Aldrick, but I know he's not ready for something like this and his world is too dangerous for me, I know I can't survive it.

"I was surprised to hear it too, I am not sure what's going on," Auntie Alice told me.

"This won't do, I am getting out of here! marriage is the last thing I want to do!" I started to run to my room.

I just have to pick my bag back, I didn't even unpack it yet.

Nivin.

"She came with JP, she's in her room, packing her stuff," Auntie Alice told me.

I started toward the stairs.

"Are you alright about Nirosha? I heard it was you who suggested the engagement with Riya?" Auntie asked me, apparently confused.

"That's right," I said, now running upstairs.

Yes, I confessed our supposed love story publicly, so even if it was grandpa who had planned the engagement, I know I have to take responsibility now.

I pushed open her door.

"Riya!"

"Neev? you are here" She walked to the door. "Good, I wanted to tell you goodbye"

I grabbed her bag away from her. "Riya! I just told you not to disappear like last time"

I can't bear to think of her going away again!

"Then what am I supposed to do? I am not interested in this new game of grandpa! It's marriage! not a simple thing!"

"I know, just give me a little time, until the project is over, I will settle everything back by then," I said.

"No Neev! I am very worried about this, if grandpa is plotting, we can't do anything against him! the only way is to let me escape" she said.

I couldn't accept it.

"And go where? your mamma is still hospitalised" I said.

Riya looked hurt. "You are right, what am I even going to do now?"

"Riya, let's just get engaged like grandpa wants now, the board meeting is only 2 months away, I will settle everything back by then," I said.

Riya was still looking confused. I took a step towards her.

"We will overcome this together, we can't let others hurt us anymore Riya, if you are with me, I think... I can win" I whispered.

Riya looked up at me, her eyes moving between my eyes.

I took her hand and she looked startled, I tried to ignore the tingling sensations that were flowing from her hand and guided her to sit down on her bed.

I knelt down in front of her and took her hand in mine.

"Listen, once I get the managing rights, I am going to save your mamma, you don't have to be anyone's slave again" I promised her, looking deep into her troubled eyes. "Please trust me"

"Okay," she nodded. "I have no other way, I guess," she said.

"You won't be disappointed," I said.

I want to protect you Riya...

"Just so you know, marriage is something big in my life, I had to live in an orphanage all my life, waiting to be adopted," she said, my heartbeat was irregular. "only thing was, nobody, wanted me then, I was always alone there"

I don't know what to say to that, my heart felt heavy.

"I always wanted to be in a family, a normal one, so I had promised myself that I would marry only for love, I can't settle for anything less than that and I will have a wonderful family too, it's my dream," she said.

I didn't have the heart to say that family is not like she's imagining, it's more of a burden than relief, I thought she would've known it by now.

Even my parents had a love marriage and look at what it did! that's why I don't believe in marriages.

"Riya just stands with me this time, we will find a way out" I promised her.

"I trust you Neev," she said slowly, "I know you will never hurt me," she said.

Don't trust me too much Riya, I have always hurt everyone around me!

"Then we will do it according to grandpa now," I said slowly. "we will get engaged, but I will make sure everything is back in place soon, so don't worry about your dream marriage" I tried to smile.

Why the hell would I feel bad about her marriage? she deserves to have a good life with someone she loves-

I stopped. I don't want to think about it. I closed my eyes tightly for a moment.

You are very confused now, let's think about it another time!

"Okay, we will leave all that now," she said and folded her hands across her chest.

"Why did you kiss me?" she wanted to know. I opened my eyes in shock.

It was so unexpected that I looked at her blankly.

"Er..?"

"You know you kissed me, why did you kiss me? without my permission?" she demanded again.

"It was... I wanted to fool them, I guess" I mumbled, not so confidently.

"Don't fool me! it was much more! you know it too"

She's right, it was much more than that, I know it too, besides, I am wondering it myself for some time now.

The funny thing is, whenever I look at her, even now, I want to kiss her again, the taste of her has me addicted to that lips.

"Do you, by chance...like me-" she started.

"Don't go there, you are not going to get an answer!" I said quickly and walked back.

"But you kissed me! that too-"

"I told you, we will discuss it later" I walked out as soon as possible, my heart was strangely settled since I know Riya has decided to stay now.

Oh God! what's going on with me?things are getting out of my hands!especially that kiss!

I am not...no chance...there's no way in hell I am falling in love, right?

I promised myself two years ago that I will never do the same mistake again!

Dear God, save me! I am not sure what's going on anymore!

Don't feign ignorance Nivin! face it now!

I think I am falling for her; Riya!

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